PHOENIX Super LPG defeated Barangay Ginebra, the current champion, 82-77, on Saturday at the FPJ Arena in San Jose, Batangas, capping off an outstanding start to their 2023–24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign.

In the last quarter, the Fuel Masters showed their mettle, making five three-pointers to overcome a 58-63 deficit and then holding off a late Gin Kings comeback to win the first game of the season for the fifth time in a row.

Phoenix, at 6-1 (win-loss), is currently tied for the lead with undefeated Magnolia, which is not where experts anticipated coach Jamike Jarin’s club to be following a low-key offseason.

With the Kings leading by three points, 80-77, import Tony Bishop missed a three-point shot, ending Ginebra’s three-game winning streak and dropping them to 4-2 (win-loss).

Johnathan Williams finished with 24 points and 23 rebounds, and he made two free throws to secure the victory for the Phoenix.

With 2:35 remaining in the game, Kenneth Tuffin scored 18 more points, including a crucial three-pointer that increased Phoenix’s advantage to 80-72.

Ginebra had a 57-48 lead into the third quarter but lost the contest. Ginebra lost to fifth place in the team standings despite Jamie Malonzo’s 20 points and 10 rebounds and Bishop’s 21 points and 15 rebounds.

After a tussle for the loose ball against Williams, Nards Pinto appeared to have dislocated his nose, and he exited the game in the first half.

Apparently, after colliding with import Jonathan Williams during Saturday night’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup match between Barangay Ginebra and Phoenix, Nards Pinto was hospitalized with what seemed to be a broken nose.

The event happened during a haphazard ball scramble with Ginebra leading 37–34 at 3:54 in the second quarter. Phoenix put an end to the Gin Kings’ three-game winning streak with a dominant finish, winning 82–77.

Williams looked to have elbowed the seasoned Ginebra guard during their struggle for ball possession.

Williams received a standard loose ball foul assessment.

Pinto was taken right away to a local hospital after exiting the FPJ Arena with blood on his nose.

Additionally, Pinto had a tiny cut on his nose.

Before he was out for good, the seasoned guard finished with three points and three rebounds in eight minutes of action.

The Scores

Phoenix Super LPG 82 – Williams 24, Tuffin 18, Alejandro 10, Perkins 9, Tio 7, Muyang 7, Jazul 3, Rivero 2, Garcia 2, Manganti 0, Soyud 0, Lalata 0, Mocon 0, Daves 0, Verano 0, Camacho 0.

Barangay Ginebra 77 – Bishop 21, Malonzo 20, Standhardinger 12, Cu 6, J. Aguilar 5, Tenorio 5, Ahanmisi 4, Pinto 3, Pringle 1.

Quarter scores: 22-20; 36-43; 58-63; 82-77.